Mistake 1: Getting Flustered(01 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: People get easily flustered by how many things there are to do on Christmas day - this can make them forget or rush things.
Tip: make a time plan, i.e. what needs to be done a day before, and then hourly on the day. On a big 'job' like Christmas organisation is paramount.
Mistake 2: Mess(02 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: With so much going on it is easy for the kitchen to explode into a huge mess. Having a hectic kitchen can make jobs take twice as long.
Tip: Keep it clean: clear down between each job; make sure the surfaces are bare; store away unnecessary equipment.
Mistake 3: Disorganised Ingredients(03 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake 3: when people cook, they often chop ingredients and then leave them spread all over the surfaces.
Tip: make sure there are plenty of various sized bowls to put your prepped ingredients in. Use one large bowl for rubbish (i.e. onion skins as you chop) and empty it into the big bin regularly.
Mistake 4: Doing Too Much At Once(04 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: Often people try to do too many prep jobs at once, they end up not finishing one and starting another. This means that ingredients may not be ready when you need them.
Tip: this is any good chef's golden rule when started to peel a bag of (i.e.) onions, work methodically. First peel them all. Throw away the skins. Then chop them one by one.
Mistake 5: Blunt Knives(05 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: Having blunt knives can make chopping stressful and inefficient (especially at Christmas when there is so much to chop)
Tip: have at least one very good knife and buy an appropriate device to sharpen it. A Global is a good beginner’s knife (buy a sharpening wet stone for it). If that's too dear, I find Vetrinox are brilliant cooks’ knives for under 25 pounds.
Mistake 6: Not Having The Correct Equipment(06 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: There's nothing worse than reaslising on Christmas morning that you don't have the correct equipment to make your fancy sprouts. Not only will your house be full and your hair still be wet, but EVERYTHING IS SHUT ON CHRISTMAS DAY!
Tip: figure it out and make sure you have everything in advance.
Mistake 7: Running Out Of Essentials(07 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: Same as before - there is nothing worse than realising on D-Day that you don't have enough cling-film, foil, baking parchment, bin bags, freezer bags, kitchen towel.
Tip: stock up on the essentials in advance.
Mistake 8: Trying To Do Everything At Once(08 of08)
Open Image ModalMistake: Trying to prepare everything on Christmas morning is madness. Especially when there is so much to do, these presents won't open themselves...
Tip: veg prep, dessert, sauces, starter could and should be made the day before. Stuffing can be made a month in advance and kept in the freezer. Cranberry sauce can be made a week before.